LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Papa John’s International (NASDAQ: PZZA) continues to strengthen its
commitment to BETTER INGREDIENTS. BETTER PIZZA.—and its broad range of
menu offerings—by taking its Gluten-Free Crust made from Ancient Grains
nationwide. The new, never-frozen Gluten-Free Crust is made with
sorghum, teff, amaranth and quinoa. A two-topping pizza made with Papa
John’s new Gluten-Free crust is available now for only $9.99.

The Ancient Grains are naturally gluten-free and higher in protein and
fiber than other grains, while adding a more robust texture and flavor
to the crust.

The national offering is a direct result of recent pilot testing earlier
this year in Los Angeles, Phoenix, St. Louis, Houston and Nashville. For
consumers, the availability of a gluten-free crust option was a leading
factor in deciding where to order their pizza from and has driven an
increase in new customers. According to Mintel, gluten-free food sales
grew 178% from 2013-16 and the percentage of consumers eating
gluten-free versions of foods that typically contain gluten continues to
trend upward.

“Eating a gluten-free crust doesn’t have to mean eating a bland,
tasteless product,” said Sean Muldoon, Chief Ingredient Officer at Papa
John’s. “Our Gluten-Free Crust took more than two years to develop and
perfect because taste and texture were key factors in the dough
development. The fact that our pilot customers told us they loved the
taste proves that we made the right decisions.”

Operationally, Papa John’s employs procedures to prevent contact with
gluten, and while the crust is prepared in a separate, gluten-free
facility before being shipped to stores, it is possible that a pizza
with gluten-free crust could be exposed to gluten during the in-store,
pizza-making process. Therefore, the brand does not recommend its
Gluten-Free Crust made with Ancient Grains for customers with Celiac
Disease or serious gluten intolerances.

Papa John’s is the first national pizza delivery chain to
announce the removal of the following ingredients across its entire food
menu: